by Nuttanan Srithorn
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| A member of "red-shirts", supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), shouts slogan at a rally in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 13, 2010. The demonstration organized by the UDD started on Friday when the red-shirted supporters of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are traveling to Bangkok. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) |
BANGKOK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- As the ongoing anti-government rally is under control and peaceful, the maximum-level-security measures have been implemented in Bangkok from Saturday in the latest move to prevent violence from occurring.
By Saturday evening it is estimated about 50,000 United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters from several provinces have arrived at the Pan Fah Bridge, which is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in the center of capital Bangkok.
A police meeting, which was held Saturday afternoon to assess the situation, was participated by commanders of riot control teams from 88 police stations and the Special Weapon and Tactics ( SWAT) team.
The meeting concluded the rally was under control as planned, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the state-owned Public Relations Department, reported.
Overall, the rally situation was still peaceful as no severe patient was found during the Saturday rally, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit disclosed.
Moreover, police have prepared plans to handle with the rally Sunday as police staff have been instructed to be patient in dealing with the protesters, said Metropolitan Police Commander Lt- General Santhan Chayanon.
Also, police officers have been instructed to be careful of ill- intended people, who might incite violence, said Metropolitan Police Commander Lt-General Santhan.
The maximum-level-security measures have been ordered together with deploying attacking police teams aiming to prevent violence around the clock.
In addition to those, some 400 investigative police officers have been deployed to ensure security at sensitive areas of Ratchadamnoen Road, on which the Pan Fah Bridge is located, Thai News Agency reported.
